Abide someone (negative) to dislike sb/sth so much that you hate having to be with or deal with them. I can’t abide people with no sense of humour. Abide with someone (literary) remain or stay with a person. If the American dream is to abide with us, it will, at bottom, depend on the people […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Abide by something vs Abide something
Abide by something to accept and act according to a law, an agreement, etc. You’ll have to abide by the rules of the club. We will abide by their decision. Abide something (negative) bear or endure something. He couldn’t abide the thought of being cooped up in an office.
Abandon ship vs Give up the ship
Abandon ship 1. leave the sinking ship. The officers and crew prepared to abandon ship in an orderly fashion. 2. (also: jump ship) to leave an organization very suddenly before it is too late, especially when you think it is going to fail. The CEO abandoned ship just before the auditors were called in. Give […]
Zero hour vs Zero time
zero hour— 1. (Military) the exact time at which operations are to begin: Zero hour for the bombers to take off was midnight. 2. a crucial moment; critical time: On the day of the championship game, as the zero hour came near, the players grew nervous. zero time—(also: time zero) the time set as a […]
You’re a good man, Charlie Brown vs You’re a good one
you’re a good man, Charlie Brown—(U.S.) used as a compliment: Upon hearing the news, Logan slapped Xavier on the back and said, “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown.” you’re a good one— 1. = you’re a good man, Charlie Brown: You are a good one, David, and I have appreciated our association over these past […]
Your actual vs Yours truly
your actual —(colloquial or humorous) said of the original or genuine person or thing: This ring wasn’t cheap, you know. It’s your actual gold. yours truly— 1. (humorous) me, myself, or I: He never graduated, but his business ability rivaled anyone’s, yours truly included. 2. (formal) written at the end of a letter, followed by […]
Young tartar vs Young turk
young tartar—(UK rare) a naughty boy; an obstinate person: We all know what a young tartar the Vole is when his sarcastic tongue is working. young turk—(UK) an aggressive person who has modern opinions and tries to change the old ways: They’ve put together a top-notch list of speakers, (which makes me wonder how a […]
Young man vs Young person
young man— 1. a boyfriend; a sweetheart: Whom is she shielding? Either her father or her young man. Is it her father? 2. is used as a familiar or condescending form of address: Listen, young man, you’re headed for some serious trouble. young person— 1. a young woman: There lived a young person at Loudun […]
You tell me vs You’re telling me
you tell me— I don’t know; I have no idea: “How can we possibly get through this week with just this amount of money?” “You tell me.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase you tell ’em—used to agree with or encourage smb. in what he is saying: “Keeping the bridge […]
You should talk vs You shouldn’t talk
you should talk —(also: you can talk) you are in no position to criticize because you are at least as guilty as the person you are criticizing (used as an ironic or sarcastic response to a person who has just spoken): “You are cold-hearted.” “You should talk of all people!” you shouldn’t talk —(also: you can’t […]
You don’t say so vs You may well say so
you don’t say so—is used to express surprise or sarcasm at what smb. has just said: I explained my presence, and he said: “You don’t say so! Why, I’ve got a patient over at Swampscott, who says he knows you. you may well say so—what you say is perfectly correct, justified, etc.: “A craft that’s […]
You can’t win vs You can’t win ’em all
you can’t win —(also: you just can’t win) no matter how much you try, there is no way to succeed: Even though we try to educate everyone we come in contact with, sometimes you just can’t win. you can’t win ’em all—is used to say that it is not possible to succeed at every thing […]